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Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007
BY SHAMING selectmen who wished to hide their voting records from the people, citizens in Goffstown have succeeded in opening all the town boards' votes to public scrutiny. That a showdown was needed to get the board to record its members' votes illustrates the need for legislators to change that the state's Right to Know law to require that all votes be recorded for public inspection.
On Dec. 4, selectmen John Caprio and Nick Campasano tried to require that all selectmen's votes be recorded and made publicly available. State law requires that roll call votes be taken only when a public board votes on whether to enter a non-public session.
The other three board members rejected the proposal, leaving Goffstown residents without any records of selectmen's votes. The public outcry was swift and effective. The
Goffstown Residents Association organized a
petition
drive, and under considerable pressure the three selectmen who had voted to hide their voting records changed their minds, voting on Monday to record all votes.
Because state law does not require roll call votes, there is no telling how many local boards keep their votes secret from residents who cannot make it to the board meetings. This has to change.
The public should have the right to scrutinize every vote local board members take. Legislators need to amend the right to know law to require roll call votes across the board.
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